Multiple-cell box for flowable material

ABSTRACT

A box for flowable material comprises a plurality of independent cells in which coextensive facing walls are secured together by a reenforcing sheet coextensive with and bonded by adhesive to such walls. To facilitate registry of adhesive, both faces of the reenforcing sheet have adhesive applied thereto, and bonding of the sheet to the walls is then effected.

United States Patent m1 Muskopf et a1.

1 1 MULTIPLE-CELL BOX FOR FLOWABLE MATERIAL [75] Inventors: Billy J. Muskopf; Ronald W.

Wiemann, both of Houston, Tex.

[73] Assignee: Crown Zellerbach Corporation, San

Francisco, Calif.

[22] Filed: March 5,1971

[21] App1.N0.: 121,414

[52] U.S. C1. ..229/15, 93/37 SP [51 I Int. Cl. ..B65d 5/48 [58] Field of Search ..229/15, 28 R; 217/7, 8, 23,

217/33; 93/37 R, 37 SP {561 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Fuller ..229/15 14 1 Feb.6, 1973 2,105,645 1/1938 Gemmill 229/15 X 3,543,991 12/1970 1,925,792 9/1933 Primary Examiner-Donald F. Norton Att0rney-Stan1ey Bialos, Corwin R. Horton and Thomas R. Lampe [57] ABSTRACT A box for flowable material comprises a plurality of independent cells in which coextensive facing walls are secured together by a recnfu rcing sheet c0extensive with and bonded by adhesive to such walls. To facilitate registry of adhesive, both faces of the reenforcing sheet have adhesive applied thereto, and bonding of the sheet to the walls is then effected.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB 6 1915 3.715072 INVENTORS BILLY J. MUSKOPF RONALD W. W|E MA N BY a ATTORNEYS MULTIPLE-CELL BOX FOR FLOWABLE MATERIAL,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types of containers have been employed for materials having inherent cold-flow characteristics after being packaged in such containers. Exemplary of these are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. to George et al, No.

2,634,038, dated Apr. 7, 1953, and in the more recent SUMMARY AND OBJECTS Summarizing the invention hereof, an improved multi-cell box or container, desirably made of paperboard, is provided. It is particularly adapted for shipping and storing material having cold-flow characteristics, such as synthetic rubber which exerts great pressure against the cell walls.

Adjacent cells are adhesively bonded together by a reenforcing sheet between facing walls thereof, which serves to strengthen such cells of the box, to enhance bulge resistance, and also to distribute pressure uniformly along the facing walls. Desirably, reenforcing sheets are bonded or secured to the respective end walls of the box to reenforce the same.

In connecting the cells together, adhesive could be applied to the facing walls of the cells but this presents a registry problem because in high-speed manufacture, it is difficultto obtain precise registry of the adhesive along the edges of the walls which are to be connected. Therefore, in the method hereof, adhesive is applied beforehand to both faces of the reenforcing sheet which is then positioned between the walls to be connected, and then bonded thereto by compression. After the cells have been connected together by such bonding, they are shipped in collapsed state and set up in box form at the packaging plant.

Paperboard has been found to be an advantageous and economical material for making the cells. Any type of paperboard may be employed depending upon the flow characteristics of the material to be packaged and the size of the box. Double-wall or single-wall, corrugated paperboard or solid paperboard are suitable. Also, the reenforcing sheets are advantageously of similar material.

The invention has as its object, among others, the provision of an improved multiple-cell box construction, which is reenforced by a connecting sheet bonded to adjacent facing walls of adjacent cells, wherein such adjacent walls have abutment joints offset with respect to each other, so as not to impair strength; the reenforcing sheet is coated beforehand on each face with adhesive toerihance registry of the adhesive with the walls to be connected together, and which is of economical and simple construction. Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES FIG. 1 is a plan view of a blank for forming a cell of the box;

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view illustrating the various cells and reenforcing sheets in spaced apart relationship;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one face of reenforcing sheet illustrating adhesive by stippling;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary horizontal section taken in a plane indicated by line 4-4 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal section of a completely assembled box with all the cell units connected together; and with an outer container jacket thereabout;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a tray-type closure cap with a portion cut out and shown in section;

FIG. 7 is another isometric view of the box with a jacket therearound, and illustrating its relationship with respect to the cap of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of an end portion of the box in collapsed condition, for shipment to the packaging location.

As previously related, the box and reenforcing sheets are desirably made of any suitable flexible material, advantageously of paperboard. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the paperboard is so-called double-wall corrugated board, but it may be of single-wall corrugated board or of solid paperboard or fiberboard.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional form of paperboard blank from which the respective cells of the box are made. The blank comprises full-wall panels 2, 3 and 4, and partialwall end panels 6 and 7, which when their edges are brought together form substantially an abutment joint and a full wall 67. The successive panels are hingedly connected together along conventional score lines 8, which may be single score lines or double score. lines, depending on the type of material; single score lines being shown for purposes of illustration. Closure flaps 9, are hingedly connected to the wall panels along score line 11, to provide a closure for the I bottom of the cell as shown in FIG. 1. If desired, similar closure flaps 12 illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 1, may be provided to form a top closure; such flaps being hingedly connected to the top edge 13.

In forming each independent cell, the cell blank of FIG. 1 is folded along the score line 8', and the partial wall end panels 6 and 7 are positioned with their edges adjacent each other to form substantially an abutment joint 14. In this connection it will be noted from FIG. 2, wherein the box comprises at least two adjacent independent cells 16 and 17 and desirably a third independent end cell 18 to form a tri-cell box, that the abutment joints 14 of the facing walls of intermediate cell 16 and end cell 17 are offset with respect to each other for a purpose to be described. Each cell is rectangular in cross section and comprisesthree full wall panels 2, 3 and 4, and an end wall of a pair of panels 6 and 7.

The facing walls of cells 16 and 17, each of which is formed of end panels 6 and 7, are coextensive, or,in other words, substantially. the same shape and size, and are connected together by a reenforcing sheet 19, desirably a pad of stiff paperboard which is also of the same shape and size as the pair of walls formed of end flaps 6 and 7, and is between and coextensive with such walls; likewise a similar pad 19 is between the facing walls ofintermediate cell 16 and end cell 18.

Bonding of these adjacent walls is obtained by a layer of adhesive 21, applied to each face of sheet 19, and which is indicated by stippling in FIG. 3. FIGS. 5 and 7 illustrate the adhesively bonded relationship of reenforcing pad 19 with respect to the walls that they connect.

For reenforcing the end walls of the box, at least one similar reenforcing pad 19 is secured by adhesive to each end wall of the box; and desirably, depending upon the strength requirements for the box, a second outer reenforcing pad or sheet 22 with adhesive applied to only one face, is bonded to the inner reenforcing end pad 19.

FIGS. 5 and 7 illustrate the relationship of the various units of the tri-cell box when they are all joined together in a unitary structure. It will be noted from these FIGS. that advantageously the assembled and connected cells are encased within an outer jacket 23; and a cap or cover 24, desirably of double-wall thickness, is telescoped over such outer jacket 23. If desired, the cover and jacket may be secured together by bands thereabout. However, the jacket and cover may be omitted depending upon the type of material packaged, and the top of the box shown in FIG. 7 may be covered with the closure flaps shown in phantom lines 12 in FIG. 1.

An advantageous material for the box is corrugated paperboard; and it will be noted from the direction arrows in FIG. 2 that the corrugations of all adjacent units of the box extend transversely with respect to each other to increase strength. However, as previously related, any other suitable material may be employed, such as solid paperboard. 1

The described construction of the box lends itself readily to being shipped in a collapsed form, as shown in FIG. 8; and subsequently when set up, the box may be enclosed within outer jacket 23 and a cap 24 applied over the top of the box. A similar cap may also be applied over the bottom of the box if desired. Because of the reenforcing pads connecting adjacent cells, intermediate cell 16 will retain its shape as it is well reenforced to resist the pressures exerted by flowable material, particularly where such cell has a lower level of material in it, than the adjacent cells. Because the abutment joints 14 are offset, strength is not materially impaired which might be the case if the joints were alined. The end walls of the box are also well reenforced by the reenforcing end pads secured thereto.

An advantageous method for securing the pads to the facing walls is to apply the adhesive to both sides of each pad. This not only makes adhesive application easier, but insures accurate registry of the adhesive to the walls; and avoids skips along the lateral edges of the cells which are subject to stress. In conventional commercial operations wherein the adhesive is conventionally applied to a moving cell blank, by means of a roller or the like, it is difficult to obtain precise registry because there may be skips along the hinge connection lines of walls 6-7 and 3 of the blank. In the completed box, if the lateral edges of the walls of adjacent cells were not securely bonded together, areas of weaknesses would occur, which would impair strength. Consequently, insofar as adhesive application is concerned, a flexible paper sheet coated on both sides with adhesive will overcome the problem of registry, but with sacrifice of the reenforcing function obtained by a stiff paperboard pad.

As usual with boxes for the purpose described, the inside surface of the cells is coated with any suitable release coating, such as a silicone coating. When all the units of the box have been assembled they are laminated together by conventional pressure application with the box in the collapsed condition shown in FIG. 8.

As a typical embodiment of the invention for the packaging of rubber, each of the independent cells is of a size 28 X 14'X 59 inches and is made of 350 lb. Test Double Wall corrugated board (Mullin test), coated on its inside surface with a silicone release coating. The reenforcing sheets or pads are substantially the same size as the facing walls of the cells, and of 200-250 lb. Test Double Wall corrugated board. These sizes may vary, as previously explained, and the cells may be made of different size and material depending on the particular type of product to be packaged, and size of the box.

We claim:

1. A multiple-cell box adapted for retention of material having cold-flow characteristics, said box comprising a plurality of independent paperboard cells having substantially coextensive facing walls, a flat substantially continuous paperboard reenforcing and securing sheet disposed between said walls, said paperboard sheet having opposed planar surfaces substantially coextensive with said facing walls, and adhesive bonding said planar surfaces to said facing walls over substantially the full extent of said facing walls whereby bulge resistance to flow of said material is enhanced and pressure of said material is distributed uniformly along said facing walls.

2. The multiple-cell box of claim 1 wherein a substantially continuous flat paperboard reenforcing sheet substantially coextensive with each end wall of the box is also adhesively bonded to such end wall over substantially the full extent of said wall.

3. The multiple-cell box of claim 1 wherein each of said facing walls is formed of a plurality of panels, the end edges of which are substantially in abutment to form a joint, and said joints of said facing walls are offset with respect to each other.

4. A multiple-cell box adapted for retention of material having cold-flow characteristics, said box comprising at least two independent paperboard cells each of rectangular shape in cross section and comprising three full wall panels and an end wall of a pair of panels which are substantially in abutment to form a joint, said jointed end walls being substantially coextensive and facing each other with the abutment joints offset with respect to each other, a flat substantially continuous paperboard reenforcing and securing pad disposed between said jointed walls, said paperboard pad having opposed rectangular planar surfaces substantially coextensive with said jointed walls, and adhesive bonding said pad planar surfaces to said jointed walls over substantially the full extent of said jointed walls whereby bulge resistance to flow of said material is enhanced and pressure of said material is distributed uniformly along said jointed walls.

5. The multiple-cell box of claim 4 comprising a third independent paperboard cell of rectangular shape in 6. The multiple-cell box of claim 5 wherein at least one paperboard reenforcing pad substantially coextensive with each end wall of the box is also adhesively bonded to such end wall.

7 The multiple-cell box of claim 6 wherein another paperboard reenforcing pad is'bonded to the pad on each end wall of the box.

Disclaimer 3,715,O72.B2'ZZ J. M iskopf and Ronald W. Wiema'rm, Houston, Tex. MUL- TIPLE-CELL BOX FOR FLOWVABLE MATERIAL. Patent dated Feb. 6, 1973. Disclaimer filed Oct. 19, 1973, by the :assignee, 01mm Zellerbach Umpomtz'on. Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1 through 7 of said patent.

[Oflicial Gazette Febmawy 5, 1974] 

1. A multiple-cell box adapted for retention of material having cold-flow characteristics, said box comprising a plurality of independent paperboard cells having substantially coextensive facing walls, a flat substantially continuous paperboard reenforcing and securing sheet disposed between said walls, said paperboard sheet having opposed planar surfaces substantially coextensive with said facing walls, and adhesive bonding said planar surfaces to said facing walls over substantially the full extent of said facing walls whereby bulge resistance to flow of said material is enhanced and pressure of said material is distributed uniformly along said facing walls.
 1. A multiple-cell box adapted for retention of material having cold-flow characteristics, said box comprising a plurality of independent paperboard cells having substantially coextensive facing walls, a flat substantially continuous paperboard reenforcing and securing sheet disposed between said walls, said paperboard sheet having opposed planar surfaces substantially coextensive with said facing walls, and adhesive bonding said planar surfaces to said facing walls over substantially the full extent of said facing walls whereby bulge resistance to flow of said material is enhanced and pressure of said material is distributed uniformly along said facing walls.
 2. The multiple-cell box of claim 1 wherein a substantially continuous flat paperboard reenforcing sheet substantially coextensive with each end wall of the box is also adhesively bonded to such end wall over substantially the full extent of said wall.
 3. The multiple-cell box of claim 1 wherein each of said facing walls is formed of a plurality of panels, the end edges of which are substantially in abutment to form a joint, and said joints of said facing walls are offset with respect to each other.
 4. A multiple-cell box adapted for retention of material having cold-flow characteristics, said box comprising at least two independent paperboard cells each of rectangular shape in cross section and comprising three full wall panels and an end wall of a pair of panels which are substantially in abutment to form a joint, said jointed end walls being substantially coextensive and facing each other with the abutment joints offset with respect to each other, a flat substantially continuous paperboard reenforcing and securing pad disposed between said jointed walls, said paperboard pad having opposed rectangular planar surfaces substantially coextensive with said jointed walls, and adhesive bonding said pad planar surfaces to said jointed walls over substantially the full extent of said jointed walls whereby bulge resistance to flow of said material is enhanced and pressure of said material is distributed uniformly along said jointed walls.
 5. The multiple-cell box of claim 4 comprising a third independent paperboard cell of rectangular shape in cross section and comprising an end wall comprised of a pair of panels which are also substantially in abutment to form a joint, said jointed wall of said third cell being substantially coextensive with and facing a wall of one of said two cells, another paperboard reenforcing and securing pad between said jointed wall of said third cell and the wall facing the same, and adhesive bonding said pad to the latter walls.
 6. The multiple-cell box of claim 5 wherein at least one paperboard reenforcing pad substantially coextensive with each end wall of the box is also adhesively bonded to such end wall. 